what do i have to do to become a paliantologist?

Mallon · Post by **Mallon** » 14 Jul 2005, 19:09

QUOTE Well I don't know about you, but I want a job that can actually provide for the necessities that are required to survive, and paleontology is hardly that.[/quote]
How do you figure palaeontologists survive, then (most of whom are single)? What do you consider the "necessities of life"? I'd rather be happy doing something I love and getting paid less, instead of doing something I hate for big bucks.

QUOTE Look who's talking.[/quote]
Actually, that's pretty much how the entire world, save for the States, spells the word. It's like "colour," "neighbour," or "chimaera." It's the original spelling.

rextheovermind · Post by **rextheovermind** » 23 Jul 2005, 03:34

Mallon is right on both counts.

Paleontologist, palaeontologist, either one is correct, just depends on what you're used to.

And actually, its not that difficult to make a decent living being a Paleontologist. Sure, you gotta start at the dirt bottom and make peanuts, but everyone has to do that for every job, whether or not you have a college degree. Having a degree just makes it a little easier to work up the ladder. Don't think that just because you get a degree in computer engineering means that you're instantly gonna make six figures a year. Its possible, but it takes a lot of work, just like making that much in Paleontology does. As with any profession, you put in the time, you earn the rewards.

Lufelia · Post by **Lufelia** » 23 Jul 2005, 17:16

Mallon wrote:How do you figure palaeontologists survive, then (most of whom are single)? What do you consider the "necessities of life"? I'd rather be happy doing something I love and getting paid less, instead of doing something I hate for big bucks.

I just figure people with these kinds of jobs do other crap on the side until they can move up and start actually supporting themselves with their dream job alone. My high school Latin teacher just wanted to be an archaeologist, but he was young and poor so that's why he taught high school Latin and just did his archaeology stuff in the summer. I could tell teaching wasn't really what he wanted to do, but he needed an income at the moment before he could fulfill his dream of heading his own excursion.

I mean, I'm sure most of us would prefer to do something we love even if it means less money, but when you've got bills to pay it's just not always possible.

And what rextheovermind said. Everything just takes time and effort.

Mr. DNA · Post by **Mr. DNA** » 23 Jul 2005, 19:47

Shark Death wrote:Not anymore.

-------------------------------------------------

*Kicks SD* Do you know how long that takes to load on a 56K? *Dreams about broadband*

Alienprojects · Post by **Alienprojects** » 24 Jul 2005, 02:39

Um easy answer ...

1. Elementry School
2. Junior High School
3. High School

MAIN THING

COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY

Mr. DNA your still on dial up .... WOW

rextheovermind · Post by **rextheovermind** » 24 Jul 2005, 06:01

Oooo I should also say that people tend to have rather dissillusioned ideas about paleontology thanks to movies like Jurassic Park. Sure, if you want to do a dig like they show in JP, where you're out there with trailers and heavy equipment and all that, yeah, that's gonna take a lot of money and not something you're gonna be doing right away. I do have one friend who has gotten enough funding from other sources to head up digs like that straight out of college, but he's brilliant and an awesome person to boot, so he deserves it.

However, paleontology doesn't necessarily always involve things like that. A greater part of paleontology (about 90% actually) is spent working in the lab, preparing the fossils that you or others collect in the field. Oftentimes those labs are run/funded by museums or universities, and someone that is preparing fossils in the lab and studying them is just as much a paleontologist as someone that goes out in the field and digs stuff up. Usually preparing fossils in the lab doesn't pay that much, but its usually better than minimum wage too.

Another note: I've always felt that if you get paid to do something, you have a basic right to claim that you are a professional in that area of work. Therefore, if you get paid to prepare/study/collect fossils, then you are, by my rules, a paleontologist.

Okay, that's my two bits and way too much for most people to read. /tongue.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":P" border="0" alt="tongue.gif" />

SSJDinoTycoon42 · Post by **SSJDinoTycoon42** » 28 Jul 2005, 20:56

you wanna be a paleontologist? alright:

1. do REALLY well in high school(particularly in Math and Science)
2. start off with Geology in College
3. you should get the oppurtunity to major in Paleontology
4. take 6-8 years of college for a doctorate degree
5. find a job related to Paleontology
6. work hard

there you go

nissin · Post by **nissin** » 29 Jul 2005, 03:03

An easier way to get to Paleontology is by helping out in Fossil Quarries..
Though, you might want to have some good knownledge on Dinosaurs and other prehistoric things... /smile.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":)" border="0" alt="smile.gif" />

nissin · Post by **nissin** » 29 Jul 2005, 22:30

Oh yes, and being a Palontologist doesn't always include working out there on the fields, digging...
It can also include working in Labs, Museums and such...

SSJDinoTycoon42 · Post by **SSJDinoTycoon42** » 29 Jul 2005, 22:42

that's true, most Paleontologists live their entire lives and never get the chance to work in the field